Learn Hardcore Swahili: Kutakuwa na tamasha katika ukumbi mpya ambapo tarumbeta zitapigwa usiku. - There will be a festival in the new hall where trumpets will be played at night.

Kutakuwa is the infinitive of -kuwa with the future marker -ta-. Combined with na, it forms an impersonal expression meaning there will be. So kutakuwa na tamasha means there will be a festival.

Why can’t we use itakuwa na tamasha instead of kutakuwa na tamasha?

Swahili expresses there will be using the infinitive kutakuwa na without a specific subject. Saying itakuwa would require a defined subject like it, which we do not use in this impersonal construction.

What role does katika play in katika ukumbi mpya?

Katika is a preposition meaning in, at, or inside. Therefore katika ukumbi mpya means in the new hall.

Why is the adjective mpya placed after ukumbi?

Adjectives in Swahili typically follow the noun they modify and agree in noun class. Mpya is one of the few adjectives that is invariable (it does not change form), so it simply follows ukumbi to form ukumbi mpya (new hall).

What is the function of ambapo in this sentence?

Ambapo is a relative pronoun meaning where (in the sense of in which or at which). It introduces the clause that describes ukumbi mpya, giving the hall where the trumpets will be played.

Could we use ambayo or ambao instead of ambapo?

Use ambapo for places (where).
Use ambayo for singular people or things (that, which).
Use ambao for plural people or things (who, which).
Since ukumbi is a location, ambapo is the correct choice.

What does tarumbeta mean and why is it unchanged in the plural?

Tarumbeta is a loanword meaning trumpet or trumpets. It belongs to noun class 10, which often shares the same form for singular and plural. The plural is shown by the verb agreement prefix zi- in zitapigwa, not by changing the noun itself.

How is zitapigwa formed and what does each part signify?

Zitapigwa is the future passive of kupiga (to play). It breaks down as follows:

zi- subject prefix for class 10 (agreeing with tarumbeta)
-ta- future tense marker
-pig- verb stem from kupiga
-wa passive suffix
Together, zitapigwa means they will be played.

Why is the agent (the doer) not mentioned in zitapigwa?

In a Swahili passive, the agent is often omitted if it is not important or obvious. Zitapigwa usiku simply highlights will be played at night. To include the agent, add na + doer: zitapigwa na wapiga tarumbeta (they will be played by trumpet players).

Why does usiku appear without a preposition to mean at night?

Time words like usiku (night), asubuhi (morning), etc., act as adverbs of time in Swahili and typically do not require a preposition. Placing usiku at the end of the sentence gives the meaning at night.